Q: I gave a security deposit to secure an apt before signing a lease. I no longer want the apartment. Can I get it back?
I'm wondering even if no one takes the apartment, can he really just keep the money even if i didn't breech the lease since I didn't sign one?
Is there specific maryland law about how the money can be used and if not used in a specific way must be returned?
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-203
when i called the landlord, he kept saying well "its okay that your circumstances changed, but what do you think the point of a security deposit is. I already told other people that the apt was taken" when I reiterated that but I hadn't signed a lease yet. In fact a lease hadn't been sent to me yet. He agreed that yes I did not need to take the apartment. But he doubled down on "what do you think the point of a security deposit is, it's to secure the apartment for you". I left the conversation at well keep me updated on if someone else takes it.
A: If you are in Rockville, tell him you are about to call the Landlord Tenant Office <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/259/Landlord-Tenant-Complaints>. Then, do so. If the community in which you live has a landlord tenant office, call them. If not, you'll need to sue in Maryland District Court.
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